Running a hospitality business in 2026 isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter.
Over the past year, we’ve hosted countless live coaching sessions inside the Crunch app with hospo coach James O’Connell. Across those sessions, the same challenges came up, alongside clear, consistent guidance on what actually moves the needle.
These are the non-negotiables we believe every hospo business should be taking into 2026. Not quick wins. Not shiny ideas. Just proven, practical foundations, backed by expert advice, that will help your business run smarter and feel more in control.
1. Marketing: Google reviews drive revenue
Your Google rating is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have and it’s completely free.
For many venues, Google is the first impression. It’s where potential customers decide whether to book, walk past, or keep scrolling. A strong rating builds trust before anyone even steps through the door.
The non-negotiable is treating reviews as part of your marketing system.
That means actively asking your happiest guests for reviews, making it easy for them to leave one, and using strong ratings as social proof across your website and socials. A 4.8-star rating isn’t just nice to have. It’s a sales tool that works for you 24/7.
If you’re looking at ways to increase restaurant sales in 2026, this is one of the simplest places to start.
2. Operations: Systems aren’t optional anymore
Running on memory might work when it’s just you, but it doesn’t scale.
Clear systems remove guesswork, create consistency, and make it easier for your team to show up and do their job well. From onboarding and training to compliance and daily checks, systems are what keep operations steady when things get busy.
Tools like Operandio and Loaded were common examples in our coaching sessions. They help venues document processes and reduce reliance on individual people holding all the knowledge.
The non-negotiable here is simple. Systems run the operation. People lead them.
Strong systems free up time, reduce mistakes, and support you to grow your restaurant without burning out.
3. Finance: Control the controllables
Revenue will always move. Seasons change, costs rise, and trade fluctuates. But some numbers are firmly in your control.
COGS and labour typically make up 50 to 70 percent of a hospitality business’s costs. Even small improvements here can make a meaningful difference to long-term profitability.
The non-negotiable is knowing your numbers and reviewing them regularly.
You don’t need complex spreadsheets or financial jargon. You need clarity on where money is going, what’s working, and where small changes can boost profit. If you’re serious about how to boost restaurant sales and protect margins in 2026, this is where focus pays off. Check out this blog post for the 5 numbers you need to track to keep your business healthy and profitable.
4. Leadership: Teach managers to think like owners
Strong leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about building capability in the people around you.
One of the biggest shifts we see in well-run venues is transparency. When managers understand the numbers, including sales targets, spend per head, and labour percentages, they make better decisions and take real ownership of results.
The non-negotiable is sharing the plan and the data.
Visibility builds accountability, confidence, and motivation. It also creates a leadership team that’s aligned with the bigger picture, not just getting through today’s service.
5. People: Hire hospitality, train skills
Skills can be taught. Genuine care can’t.
Time and time again, coaching conversations come back to people. The venues that are thriving aren’t necessarily hiring the most experienced staff. They’re hiring the right attitude.
The non-negotiable is hiring for hospitality first.
Look for people who genuinely enjoy service, teamwork, and looking after guests. Skills, systems, and processes can be trained. The right people lift the culture, strengthen the team, and improve the guest experience.
Taking these non-negotiables into 2026
Hospitality will always be fast-paced and demanding. But the businesses that feel most in control are the ones that nail the basics consistently.
These five non-negotiables aren’t trends or quick wins. They’re the foundations we see again and again in venues that grow stronger over time.
If you’re looking for more guidance, structure, or hospitality coaching to help you put these ideas into practice, Crunch is here to back you. Learn more about the Crunch app here.
Inside the Crunch hospitality app, you’ll find expert-led education, live coaching, and a community of hospo owners who get it. Everything is designed to help you run a smarter, more profitable business in 2026 and beyond.
